Covington is home to a veteran community with soldiers who have accomplished a great deal and devoted time and talent, both on the battlefield and in their subsequent careers. On May 2, Covington resident Louis V. Paradise, vice chancellor emeritus and provost emeritus of the University of New Orleans, was inducted into the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for such accomplishments.

The Field Artillery OCS Hall of Fame honors the heroism and exceptional achievement of its graduates and recognizes the outstanding contributions of these officers to their country and the Artillery.

Paradise was selected for induction "for his outstanding contributions to the nation while serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, followed by a long and distinguished career with the University of New Orleans," wrote Randy C. Dunham, Secretary of the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School Alumni Chapter Incorporated, in a verification letter.

The Field Artillery Officer Candidate School holds a formal induction ceremony each year as part of the annual FAOCS Alumni reunion. Paradise and his wife, Peggy C. Kirby, attended the event and its festivities.

"It's a great and humbling honor to be recognized by your fellow artillery officers. They taught me unforgettable lessons in leadership and camaraderie," Paradise said.

"It was my privilege to attend the ceremony honoring Lou and other outstanding veterans of World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam era. We were moved by the warm hospitality and respect of the young officer candidates at Fort Sill who are carrying on the service and commitment of the veterans," Kirby said.

According to Kirby, the event lasted three days, from April 30 to May 2. Activities included live fire demonstrations; interaction with troops; air defense and fire control demonstrations; and a building dedication in memory of 2nd Lieutenant Robert C. Wright, a posthumous recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam.

The event culminated with the Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony that took place at the Patriot Club at Fort Sill on Friday, May 2. The ceremony consisted of a reception, dinner, and presentation by guest speaker, Retired Brigadier General Billy R. Cooper.

According to the induction ceremony's program, "Mr. Paradise graduated from the Psychological Operations Unit Officer Course at the United States Army Institute for Military Assistance at Fort Bragg and was assigned to the 15th Psychological Operations Battalion. He then served with I Corps Artillery in Korea as the Corps Artillery Assistant S-2 and later Acting S-2. After leaving active duty, he served on the graduate faculty of the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. prior to a long and distinguished career with the University of New Orleans. There he served in administrative positions including department chair, Dean of the College Of Education And Human Development, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. He was the university's first Executive Vice Chancellor."

The program went on to describe Paradise's accomplishments, including the fact that he served as a professional consultant to a variety of public and private sector entities in grant and research activities in the field of psychology and counseling.

Paradise is the author or co-author of five books, has published 67 professional articles in 30 different national and international research journals, and has mentored research and scholarly development of numerous doctoral students. Paradise has also served multiple times on the editorial boards of four different professional research journals.

According to the program, "he has rendered outstanding service to the higher education community and academic profession of psychology and counselor education."

Paradise retired from the University of New Orleans in December of 2012.

The Field Artillery Officer Candidate School estimated that more than 300 individuals -- including OCS graduates and guests as well as active duty command and staff personnel from Fort Sill -- attended the ceremony on May 2.

"Twelve graduates of the Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill were honored for having made outstanding contributions to the nation, both in and out of uniform, or for having truly distinguished themselves in government service or the private sector," said Dunham, in his verification letter.